When was the English language introduced?

Question

to the Philippines and by who?

I stand corrected "whom"

Answer 1

I remember that Jose Rizal was able to visit the US in his lifetime so I'm sure Filipinos were exposed to English way before the Americans got hold of the country. And, of course, the British were establishing colonies left and right in Asia back then so there must have been some trade and visits going on.

From wikipedia:

The first exposure English occurred in 1762, when the British invaded Manila. However, use of English in that era had no lasting influence. English was declared the official language during the American colonial period by William Howard Taft, the first civilian governor of the Philippines. English remains an official language the Philippines today.

Answer 2

Philippine Commission Act no.74, 1901 - called for the establishment of a highly centralized public school system. The free public school system was run by both chaplains and non-commissioned officers assigned to teach using English as the medium of instruction. The shortage of teachers to run this new system was accommodated by hiring 600 Thomasites from the U.S.A.

This paved the way for the formal introduction of English in the Philippines.

Magpie, good recall.

Answer 3

If my memory serves me right, the Thomasite teachers introduced the English language in the Philippines, around the start of 20th century.

Answer 4

The American-styled public school system introduced the Filipino school children to English. At some instances schools only allow English to be spoken. The "English-only" approach is still being practiced by some private schools in Metro Manila.

Answer 5

All the answers before me seem to point to the Thomasites.

I have only additional input. When Jose Rizal was about to be taken out his cell to be shot, he communicated to his sister in English that there was something in the stove, which was his death poem. He spoke in English and the sister understood. It was in English so the Spanish guard may not understand. Therefore, English was already spoken by Rizal and his folks at that time. Of course, this may be attributed to the fact they were previously exiled in HongKong, a British territory, at the time. Many exiles in HongKong had to learn the language (exiled becuz of a previous rebellion that failed)
and when they came back, English had to be handed down somewhere.

Answer 6

I always thought American missionaries, the Thomasites were responsible for educating Filipinos in the English language. I just didn't know exactly when.

Answer 7

Probably around 1898, during and after the Americans kicked out the Spanish.


And it is "by whom", not "by who", in case you were wondering.

Answer 8

if my history class memoirs served me correct. it is when the thomasites (teachers aboard the st. thomas shop from america) arrived here that the english language started to flourish.

Answer 9

when the americans came they brought along the thomasites, who happen to be english teachers. filipinos were then speaking spanish and the american occupiers find it hard to communicate with the ordinary filipinos.

Answer 10

when american went to phippines.